tenderfoot

noun

ˈten-dər-ˌfu̇t How to pronounce tenderfoot (audio)
Definition of tenderfootnext
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity skateboarders who are tenderfeet will inevitably fall as they learn their first moves

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tenderfoot Smit-McPhee plays a hapless Scottish tenderfoot who teams with Fassbender's conflicted bounty hunter to track down his true love in the American West. — and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024 The tenderfoot Americans, with six rookies, eight guys yet to reach 30, and minimal scar tissue, won three of four foursomes in the morning to get to 9-3 and two of four fourball rounds in the afternoon to reach 11-5. — BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021 Once upon a time, the members of a whitetail deer hunting club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula invited a tenderfoot to their camp. — The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020 But even a tenderfoot can easily corral yeast and put it to use, because yeast is everywhere. — Henry Fountain, New York Times, 7 May 2020 But like a tenderfoot scout who confidently builds a campfire only to end up burning down the forest, Kalanick’s loose management — of his staff and himself — paved the way for a cascade of embarrassing scandals by 2014. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderfoot
  1. novice
  2. beginner
  3. apprentice
  4. newcomer
  5. rookie
  6. freshman
Noun
  • Professional and novice astronomers alike are getting excited about the partial lunar eclipse.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But for a novice, relying on AI before mastering the fundamentals creates a technical debt that leads to a lack of depth.
    — Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Yarn crafters of all skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced makers, the release said.
    — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ is one of the best telescopes for beginner-to-intermediate stargazers who want to view deep-sky objects and appreciate assistance in manually locating the targets.
    — Paul Brett, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • Rolle emphasized that apprentices in MDC’s programs don’t have to pay for the costs of classes or equipment thanks to state and federal grants.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • So far, the apprentice program is a small but growing portion of that number.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of apprentice
Noun
  • The battle for Charlotte’s wealth Charlotte’s hometown banking giants like Truist and Bank of America, as well as San Francisco’s Wells Fargo, are competing with aggressive out-of-state newcomers to capture clients.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Miami Beach today may be filled with newcomers, cranes and construction, deals and demolitions.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of newcomer
Noun
  • Second-year head coach Aaron Glenn is in desperate need of competence at all positions after a 3-14 rookie campaign.
    — NBC Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Kyle Louis continues working at safety, as the rookie linebacker continues cross rtaining….
    — Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rookie
Noun
  • Davis, who attended Blue Valley North, was named Big 12 freshman of the week nine consecutive times.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The senators cited a fall 2025 UC San Diego faculty work group paper that found about 1 in 12 incoming UCSD freshmen were testing below high school math standards, a share that the report said grew nearly thirtyfold since 2020.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of freshman

Browse Nearby Words

tenderfeet
tenderfoot
tenderhearted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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